Labeler

ABSTRACT

Labels, coated with pressure sensitive adhesive and carried by a web of release paper having formed therein feed sprocket holes, are drawn along a predetermined path through a print station and about a sharp reverse bend by a feed drum having disposed about the periphery thereof drive pins spaced to correspond to the spacing of the feed sprocket holes in the web of release paper. The feed drum is in turn driven by a solenoid actuated ratchet feed and may be readily replaced by other feed drums having drive pins spaced to correspond with the feed holes on webs of other sizes of labels. As the release paper is drawn about the sharp reverse bend the label projects outwardly and a hammer, solenoid actuated in timed relationship with the label feed, is driven against the label to slap the label against an article.

Umted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,769,139

Woods 1 1 Oct. 30, 1973 [54] LABELER 3,265,553 8/1966 Kind etal. 156/3843,240,652 3/1966 Lamers l56/36l [751 Invent: James Atlanta 3,301,7331/1967 West et al 156/363 [73] Assignee: Litton Business Systems, Inc.,

Belleville, NJ. Primary Examiner -Daniel J. Fritsch [22] Fi ed Ju 18 19Attorney-Morris I. Pollack [21] AppL No.: 154,687 [57] ABSTRACT RelatedUs. Application Data Labels, coated with pressure sensitive adhesive and[63] Continuation of Set N0 597 585 Nov 29 1966 carried by a web ofrelease Paper having firmed abandoned therein feed sprocket holes, aredrawn along a predetermined path through a print station and about a 521U.S. Cl 156/358 156/361 156/363 Sharp reverse bend by a feed drum havingdisPsed 156/364 156/366 156/367 156/384 about the periphery thereofdrive pins spaced to cor- 156/541 156/542 156/566 respond to the spacingof the feed sprocket holes in 511 1111.01. 1365c 9/02 B656 9/18 1565c9/42 the web release The feed drum is [58] Field of Search 156 351; 361363 drive" by actuated ratchet feed and may be 156/364 384 540 readilyreplaced by other feed drums having drive pins spaced to correspond withthe feed holes on webs of [56] Reerences Cited other sizes of labels. Asthe release paper is drawn about the sharp reverse bend the labelprojects out- UNITED STATES PATENTS wardly and a hammer, solenoidactuated in timed rela- 2,939,599 6/1960 Schluter 156/361 tionShip-withthe label feed is driven against the abel 2 3;? to slap the labelagainst an article. 3Z231Z446 1/1966 Satas 156/384 l6 Claims 12' DrawingFigures yzi /?6 432 4& .34 130 w 7 V 4m "\m 4 4% 406 T384 350 a o, :228x I I "Ki -1 I 0 1 -n.-: 1. 1 0 3 A 336 //d .35 1

1 /6/IZ o \s 4/ ,i Q I I 24 1/1 0/2. a! w M 422- a PATENTEUUCT 30 1973SHEET 10F 7 www . w QQmM INVENTQR JAMES E.WOODS ATTORNEY PATENTEUHBI a 0I973 SHEET 2 BF 7 INVENTOR JAMES E,WOOD s ATTORNEY SHEET 3 UP 7 PATENTEUam 3 o 1913 L Rx Q \N\ 3 INVENTOR JAMES E, WOOD S haw i ATTORNEYPATENTEDBET 3 0 ms sum u U? 7 Wm M I 1""- INVENTOR JAMES E,wooDsATTORNEY PATENTEB um 30 1973 INVENTOR JAME S E.WOODS ATTORNEY PATENIEDum 30 I973 SHEET 6 BF 7 s w mo T N EE m mM A v ATTORNEY PMENTEU BET 3 0I975 SHEET 7 OF 7 LABELER This application is a continuation of Ser. No.597,585, filed Nov. 29, 1966 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION FIELD OF APPLICATION This invention relates tolabeling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for imprinting,dispensing, and applying labels to articles.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION PRIOR ART Modern business practices dictate thatmany articles have labels affixed thereto; articles on display for sale,articles stored in warehouses, articles moving through various stages ofprocessing, and a host of other articles required by present day societyfor its day to day operation.

While many labels have applied thereto a water responsive adhesive, andothers utilize a heat responsive adhesive, a large number of the labelsused today are of the pressure sensitive adhesive type and are disposedone after the other along a strip of release backing paper, formulatedto permit the labels to be readily separated therefrom; with the stripand attached labels usually distributed in roll form.

The typical labeling operation entails printing certain information on apredetermined number of labels and then applying the labels so printedto a like number of articles.

To print thevlabels on one machine and then apply same with anothermachine requires an expenditure for two machines with possibleduplication of elements (such as motors, etc.) as well as a waste ofvaluable time in rereeling the printed labels and transferring same tothe applying machine; while the utilization of a single machine for bothprinting and applying guide often involves problems of synchronizing theprinting and labeling operations to obtain a smooth running systemespecially when labeling discrete articles.

In some labelers the label is printed, stripped, and then disposed in aposition where a passing article by making contact with the label hasthe label affixed thereto. The problems presented by the inherent needfor costly article transport equipment and the possibility of articlespassing unlabeled because of the speed at which the article is movingand/or the type of adhesive used are very apparent.

In other labelers the printed label must be picked up by a vacuum headwhich then applies same to the article, thus necessitating the need forcostly and complex vacuum producing equipment and the controls therefor.

In many labelers the cyclic operation of the machine is accomplished bythe provision of an armwhich rides upon the surface of the labels anddrops into a space which must be provided between successive labels tocontrol said cyclic operation. However, the arm quite often damages theedges or other portions of the labels as it moves thereover, and in someinstances smears or otherwise distorts the printed matter which hasbeendisposed thereon. In some labelers photoresponsive cells are used tosense the space between the labels; however, the circuitry which must beprovided to sense the difference between the opacity of the web andlabel, and the opacity of the web alone is expensive, complex, andhighly susceptible to differences in the label and web stock as well asdirt, color and other conditions. In both instances the labels must bedisposed along the web so as to provide the required space therebetweenthus limiting the number of labels that can be placed on a web of agiven size.

OBJECT OF INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention toprovide a novel labeling apparatus.

It is a further object to provide an improved labeling apparatus capableof dispensing labels disposed one after the other on a web and applyingsame to articles disposed at a predetermined position with respectthereto; the label applying apparatus involving simple and efficientelements operative, without the provision of vacuum means, to engage thelabels and apply same to the articles. i

It is another object to provide improved labeling apparatus withpositive means for feeding labels, disposed one after the other on aweb, to a print station, a stripping station, and into a positionwherein each of such labels may be applied to an article.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedlabeling apparatus for printing, dispensing, and applying labels,disposed on a web, to successive articles, which apparatus is cycledindependently of the position of the labels on the web and therefore canaccept labels disposed one adjacent the other-on the web.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improvedlabeling apparatus for imprinting, dispensing and applying pressuresensitive labels, from a web' of such labels, and which is capable ofaccepting labels of various sizes in a simple and efficient manner.

This invention involves labeling apparatus of the type which utilizeslabels having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and which aredisposed one after the other along a web of paper formulated to releasethe labels without damaging the adhesive; the apparatus first feedingthe web along a path to move the labels to and through a print station,and then feeding the web about a sharp reverse bend which is effectiveto peel the labels off of the paper; and contemplates the provision ofahammer adapted to engage each label as it is peeled from the paper andapply each label to an article when disposed in proximity to the sharpreverse bend as well as a web feed, operative through a fixed cycle ofoperation, to positively move the web a distance corresponding'to thesize of the label independently of the presence or absence of a label onthe web, and which is selectively adjustable to accommodate labels ofdifferent,

size. The labeling apparatus further including positive type controlsfor initiating and terminating the fixed cycle of operation of the webfeed and of the label applying hammer in timed relationship to thebeginning of the fixed cycle of operation of the web feed so that thehammer engages a label and moves same against an are disposed. The feeddrum draws the web and labels from a roll to and through a printingstation and then, by drawing the web about a sharp reverse bend, effectsa separation of the web from the labels in such a manner that each labelextends out into a position permitting a hammer, reciprocated through alabeling path, to merely engage the label and press same against anarticle disposed in said labeling path. The hammer, which is solenoidoperated, is actuated, at that point in time during the cycle ofoperation of the feed drum when the label is extending into the labelingpath, by a cam driven by the same drive train which cycles the feed drumthus insuring a synchronized relationship between the operations of thehammer and feed drum. The feed drum is driven through an arcproportionate to the label size during each cycle of its operation andis removably disposed on the labeler to permit ready replacement thereofby other feed drums having differently disposed drive pins adapted tocoact with webs having corresponding pairs of sprocket feed holes tothus accommodate different labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention and its details of construction andarrangement of parts will be seen from the above, from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiment when consid ered in conjunctionwith the drawings, and from the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a labeler (looking at thefront thereof) cut away in part to better show the details thereof andwhich embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the labeler of FIG. I with partsthereof cut away to better show the details thereof;

FIG. 3a and FlG.'3b, when combined, make up a plan view of the labelerof FIG. I cut away in part to better show the details thereof;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, in partial section, of the main drivetrain and operating structure therefor of the labeler of FIG. 1 showingsame in the clutched condition thereof; 7

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the mounting of one ofthe elements of the main drive train of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of some of the elements of theoperating structure for themain drive train of FIG. 4 partially explodedto better show the details thereof;

FIG. 7 is aplan view of the printer operating mechanism and the webdrive and feed mechanism of the labeler of FIG. I removed therefrom tobetter show the details thereof;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of the web drive and feedmechanism of FIG. 7 partially exploded to better show the detailsthereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary isometric view of the label applying hammer andmounting structure therefor of the labeler of FIG. I; Y

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view of the cycle initiatingmechanism for the labeler of FIG. 1; and

F IG. II is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit,including some mechanical elements which cooperate therewith, for thelabeler of FIG. 1.

spectively.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For convenience the invention willbe described as applied to a labeler adapted to imprint, dispense, andapply to discrete articles in seriatim fashion, successive ones ofpressure sensitive labels carried by a roll of release paper; it beingunderstood nevertheless that without departing from the scope of thisinvention that subject labeler does not necessarily require the printingmechanism; may be utilized with labels applied by water, heat, and othermeans as well as pressure sensitive adhesives, and that the web andlabels need not be in roll form.

With reference to FIG. 1 there is generally shown at 20 a labelercomprising a main power supply and drive assembly 22 providing motivepower to a cyclically operated web drive and feed assembly 24 fordrawing a web 26 along a web feed path X, Y, Z to thus move inincremental fashion a plurality of labels 28, attached to web 26 by apressure sensitive adhesive, to and through a print'mechanism 30 andthen, by drawing web 26 about a sharp reverse bend 32, to move eachlabel 28 successively into a web -applying path T of a hammer assembly34, cyclically operated in timed relationship with web drive and feedassembly 24, to engage a label 28 when so disposed and press sameagainst an article 36.

A motor 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of main power supply and drive assembly 22 iscarried by a pair of upstanding brackets 50 (FIG. 1) and 52 (FIG. 2) ofamotor mount 54 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 secured to a main frame 56 byappropriate means such as bolts 58 (FIG. 2) and is secured in place onbrackets 50 and 52 by clamping means 60 (FIGS. 1 and 3b) and 62 (FIGS. 2and 3a) re- A substantially'hollow and cylindrical motor drive stub(FIGS. 2 and 3a), secured to output shaft '72 (FIG. 2) of motor 40 by acollar 74 (FIGS. 2 and 3a) is disposed for coactio n with anintermediate drive pulley 76 (FIGS. 2 and 30) carried by a start leverassembly 80 (FIGS. 2 and 4) for movement into (FIG. 4) and -out of(FIG.2) engagement with stub 70, to transmit the drive from motor drive stub70 to a main drive pulley 86 (FIGS. 2, 3a, and 4) and thereby to a maindrive shaft 90; interconnected to main drive pulley 86 by a hub 92 (FIG.3a) and journalled for rotation between a vertical frame member 94(FIGS. 2 and 3a) and a vertical frame member 96 (FIG. 3a) of main frame56.

Intermediate drive pulley 76 (FIGS. 2, 3a, and 5) is rotatablyjournalled on a shaft 102 (FIGS. 3a and 5) carried by an arm 104 (FIGS.4 and 5) and an arm 106 of a substantially U-shaped pulley carrier 108mounted for. limited rotation upon the left end 110 of a start lever 112(FIGS. 2 and 4) secured for rotation with and upon a start shaft 114rotatably journalled between a side frame 116 (FIGS. 2 and 3a) and aside frame 118 (FIGS. 2 and 3b) of main frame 56.

A start lever spring 126 (FIGS. 2 and 4) secured at one of its ends tomain frame 56 (FIG. 2) and at the other of its ends to carrier 108(FIGS. 2 and 4) urges carrier 108 to the right and down (FIGS. 2 and 4)to maintain a surface 128 of intermediate drive pulley 76 in engagementwith a surface 130 of main drive pulley 86. Aspring 131 (FIGS. 1 and4)'secured at one of its ends to a stud 131' carried by start lever l 12and at the other of its ends to frame 56 urges start lever 1 12, startIever shaft 114, and a brake lever 132, carried by start lever shaft114, in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of rotation of startlever shaft 114 to maintain a cam follower roller 136 (FIGS. 3a and 4),carried by a follower arm 138 (FIG. 4) of brake lever 132, in engagementwith cam surface 140 of a start cam 142 carried by main drive shaft 90.This action of spring 131 also maintains a brake shoe 146, pivotallymounted on brake lever 132 by a pin 148, in engagement with an' innersurface 150 of main drive pulley 86. Spring 126 assists the action ofspring 131.

A press plate 160 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 6) secured to a right end 162 ofstart lever 112 by a pair of threaded members 164 (FIG. 6) is urged intoengagement with a nose 166 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 6) of a start solenoid bellcrank I68, pivotally disposed on a pin 170 (FIGS. 1 and 4) carried byframe 56, by spring s 131 and 126.

A pin 180 (FIGS. 1 and 6 carried by start solenoid I bell crank 168serves to interconnect a start solenoid bracket 182 and a start solenoidbracket 184 thereto. A pin 186 (FIG. 1) interconnects the other ends ofstart solenoid brackets 182 and 184 to a plunger 188 of a start solenoid190 suitably mounted on frame 56 and electrically interconnected bywires 192 into the electrical circuit for labeler 20 as will behereinafter described.

When labeler 20 is not cycling but with motor 40 thereof operating drivestub 70 of motor 40 will be rotating in the counterclockwise direction(FIGS/2 and 4) about the axis of rotation of output shaft 72 of motor40. Such rotation-will not however be transmitted to intermediate drivepulley 76 because it is in the declutched condition (FIG. 2) and as suchouter surface 128 thereof, while engaged with outer surface 130 of maindrive pulley 86,'is spaced from motor drive stub 70. When intermediatedrive pulley 76 is declutched cam follower 136 is disposed in a notch198 of cam 142 and brake shoe 146 is urged by spring 131 against innersurface 150 of main drive pulley 86 with sufficient force to restrainrotation thereof and of main drive shaft 90 connected thereto. I

Energization of solenoid 190 (FIG. 1), through cir cuitry to behereinafter described, draws plunger 188, solenoid brackets 182 and 184,and pin 180 to the right, pivoting solenoid bell crank 168 in thecounterclockwise direction (FIG. 1) about pin 170, moving nose 166thereof against press plate 160 disposed on right end 162 of start lever112, and thereby moving right end 162 of start lever 112 down (FIGS. 1and 4) against the action of springs 126 and 131. Downward movement ofright end 162 of start lever 112 and the resulting upward movement ofleft end 110 thereof (FIGS. 2 and 4) is effective to move intermediatedrive pulley 76 from its declutched condition (FIG. 2) to its clutchedcondition (FIG. 4) with surface 128 thereof in engagement with rotatingmotor drive stub 70. Such movement also rotates lever shaft 114, andbrake lever 132 carried thereby, in the clockwise direction (FIGS. 2 and4) about the axis of rotation of shaft 114 moving brake shoe 146 fromits braking position (FIG. 2) engaged with inner surface 150 of maindrive pulley 86', to its unbraked position (FIG. 4) spaced from innersurface 150, and moving cam follower roller 136 out of notch 198 of cam142 releasing cam 142 and main drive shaft 90 secured thereto forrotation. With brake 146 in its unbraked position and surface 128 ofintermediate drive pulley in engagement with both motor drive stub andouter surface of main drive pulley 86 the rotation of motor output shaft72 is transmitted through motor drive stub 70 to intermediate drivepulley 76 and thereby to main drive pulley 86 and main drive shaft 90connected thereto to rotate main drive shaft 90 in the counterclockwisedirection (FIG. 4) abouts its own axis of rotation.

Subsequent deenergization of solenoid 190, as will be hereinafterdescribed, releases plunger 188, start solenoid brackets 182 and 184,and pin 180 for movement to the left (FIG. 1) and bell crank 168 forclockwise rotation about pin 170. However, as long as cam followerroller 136 rides on cam surface 140 of cam 142 springs 126 and 131'areineffective to rock start lever 112 in the counterclockwise direction(FIG. 4) about the axis of rotation of shaft 114 to provide the motiveforce for effecting such movement.

When cam follower roller 136 moves into notch 198 of cam 142 springs 126and 131 rock start lever 112, shaft 114, and brake lever 132 in thecounterclockwise direction (FIG. 4) about the axis of rotation of shaft114. As right end 162 of the rocking start lever 112 moves up I (FIGS. 1and 4') press plate 160 thereof moves against nose 166 of solenoid bellcrank 168 pivoting same in the clockwise direction (FIG. 1) about pin170 and moving pin 180, brackets 182 and 184, and solenoid plunger 188to the left. As left end of the rocking start lever 112 moves down(FIGS. 2 and 4) intermediate drive pulley 76 moves to its declutchedcondition (FIG. 2) with surface, 128 thereof spaced from rotating motordrive stub 70, but engaged with outer surface of main drive pulley 86.As brake lever 132 is rocked in the counterclockwise direction byrocking lever 112 brake shoe 146 thereof moves into engagement withinner'surface of main drive pulley 86 to arrest the rotation thereof andof main drive shaft 90 connected thereto at a precise location forpurposes to be hereinafter described. 1

During the cycle of rotation of main drive shaft 90 (FIGS. 3a and 7) therotation thereof is imparted to an eccentric mechanism 210interconnected by a pin 212 (FIG. 7) to an arm 214 of printing mechanism30 to operate printing mechanism 30 in a well-known manner to printselected information upon labels 28 when disposed for cooperationtherewith.

Rotation of main drive shaft 90 is also imparted to a web drive cam 220(FIGS. 1, 3b and 7), connected to main drive shaft 90, and having formedtherein a cam track 222 with side walls 224 coacting with a web drivecam follower roller 226 (FIGS. 1 and 7) rotatably disposed on a pin 228carried at an end 230 of a web'drive lever 232 (FIGS. 1, 3b and 7)journalled for reciprocatory motionon a vertical stub shaft 234 securedto frame 56 of labeler 20. The other end 240 of web drive lever 232 is.rotatably journalled on a pin 242 carried by an internally threadedcollar 244 (FIGS. 1 and 7) of a feed rod assembly 246. An externallythreaded end 250 (FIG. 7) of a feed rod 252 is received withininternally threaded collar 246 and an externally threaded end 254 (FIGS.7 and 8) of feed rod 252 is received -within an internally threadedcollar 256 journalled on serve to facilitate the adjustability of rod250 in collars 246 and 256 respectively.

A feed pawl 280 (FIGS. 1, 7, and 8), rotatably carried on pin 258 offeed arm 260, has an end 282 thereof (FIG. 8) disposed for coaction withshoulders 284 of a web feed ratchet 286 rotatably journalled on a hub288 carried by feed arm 260. A spring 290 having one end thereof hookedover a pin 292 carried by feed pawl 280 and the other end thereof hookedover a pin 294 carried by feed arm 260 tends to urge feed pawl 280 inthe clockwise direction about pin 258 and nose 282 thereof against theedge surface of web feed ratchet 286. A feed detent 300 (FIGS. 1 and 8)rotatably disposed on a pin 302 carried by frame 56 of labeler 20 isbiased by a spring 304, also carried by frame 56, in the clockwisedirection (FIG. 8) about pin 302 to urge nose 306 thereof against theedge surface of web feed ratchet 286 to thus prevent counterclockwise(FIG. 8) rotation of feed ratchet 286.

An aperture 310 (FIG. 8) is formed in web feed ratchet 286 to receive aroll pin 312 carried by a web feed drum 324 (FIGS. 1, 7, and 8). Aknurled collar 316 (FIGS. 3a, 7 and 8) is formed on feed drum 314 tofacilitate the disposition thereof on, and removal thereof from, feedstub shaft 262, and the positioning of roll pin 312 of feed drum 314 inaperture 310 of web feed ratchet 286. Feed drum 314 is secured in placeon feed stub shaft 262 by an internally threaded and externally knurledknob 318 adapted to be threaded onto an externally threaded end 320(FIG. 8) of feed stub shaft 262.

A plurality of drive pins 330 (FIGS. 1, 7 and 8) are disposed about feeddrum 314 for coaction with feed sprocket holes 332 (FIGS. 3b and 8)formed in web 28 so that rotation of feed drum 314 in the clockwisedirection (FIG. 8) about feed-stub shaft 262 results in a correspondingfeed movement of web 28 along feed.

path X, Y, Z. I

A web retainer 336 (FIGS. 1 and 7) adopted to retain web 28 inengagement with the surface of feed drum 314 is rockably carried on apin 338 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and provided with a knob 340 to facilitate therotation thereof towards and away from the surface of feed drum 314.

A stripper blade 344 (FIGS. 1 and 2) with an end thereof adapted to ridein a groove 346 (FIGS. 2 and 8) formed in feed drum '314 to facilitatethe stripping of web 28 therefrom is rotatably disposed on a pin 34carried by main frame 56. V

It will thus be seen that with each revolution of web drive cam 220 webdrive lever 232 will rock first in the counterclockwise direction (FIG.7) about vertical stub shaft 234 then in the clockwise direction aboutvertical stub shaft 234, thus reciprocating feed rod 252 first'in thedirection of arrow R (FIGS. 7 and 8) and then in the direction of arrowS. Movement of feed rod 252 in the direction of arrow R (FIGS. 7 and 8)moves pin.

258, feed arm 260, and feed pawl 280 in the clockwise direction aboutfeed stub shaft 262 (FIG. 8). Engagement of nose 282 of rotating feedpawl 280 with a shoulder 284 of feed ratchet 286 effects a correspondingclockwise rotation (FIG. 8) of feed ratchet 286 about feed stub shaft262 and, since roll pin 312 of feed rum 3 14 is disposed in aperture 310of feed ratchet 286 of feed drum 314 in the clockwise direction aboutfeed stub shaft 262. The extent of movement of feed rod 252 in thedirection of arrow R (FIG. 8) is sufficient to effect a revolution offeed ratchet 286 and feed drum 314; with retrograde movement thereof inthe counterclockwise direction (FIG. 8) prevented by the engagement ofnose 306 of detent 300 with a shoulder 284 of feed ratchet 286. Thus onmovement of feed rod 252 in the direction of arrow S (FIGS. 7 and 8)nose 282 of feed pawl 280 merely rides on the edge surface of feedratchet 286 until feed rod 252 returns to its home position when nose282 of feed pawl 280 drops behind .the next shoulder 284 on feed ratchet286.

The spacing of drive pins 330 on feed drum 314 corresponds to thespacing d (FIG. 3b) between adjacent 360, is rotatably disposed on aspool shaft 362 carried by a spool arm 364 (FIGS. 1 and 3b) which is inturn carried by main frame 56. A pair of spool guide plates 36.6 and 368(FIG. 3b) guide web 26 for movement about a leaf typ'e take-up spring370 and into a substantially conventional web guide 372 (FIGS. 1 and 3b)disposed between adjustable web guide plates 374 and 376 carried byframe 56. The relative disposition of plates 374 and 376 depends on theparticular web guide 372 disposed therebetween, with the configurationof web guide 372 depending upon the size of the particular web 26 andlabels 28 to be utilized by Iabeler 20.

-Web 26 and labels 28 follow path X (FIG. 1) from web guide 372 throughprinting mechanism 30 and then onto a stripper plate assembly 380(FIG. 1) which includes a bed plate 382 formed with relatively sharpreverse bend 32 and a leaf spring 384 mounted on a carrier 386 foradjustable disposition on bed plate 382; spring 384 being formed with aconfiguration to urge labels 28 and web 26 against bed plate 382. Web 26then follows path Y about reverse bend 32, of bed plate 382, and thenaround feed drum 314 with drive pins 330 thereof appropriately disposedin sprocket holes 332 of web 26 and with web retainer 336 urging web 26against the surface of feed 314. Stripper blade 344 riding in groove 346of feed drum 314 directs web 26 away from the surface of feed drum 314and into path teristics therebetween, continue to follow path X movingbeyond reverse bend 32 and into label applying path T of hammermechanism 34 where it can be pressed into contact with an article 36.

A hammer rod 402 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 9), of hammer mechanism 34, havingsecured to one end thereof a hammer pad 404 with a resilient contactsurface 406, is mounted on a hammer arm 408 (FIGS. 1, 3a and 9)rotatably journalled on a hammer pivot shaft 410 carried by spaced walls412 and 414 of a hammer bracket 416 appropriately mounted on main frame56. A pair of springs 420 (FIGS. 1 and 3a) each connected at one oftheir ends to a pin 422 carried by hammer arm 408 and at the other oftheir ends to a stop rod 424 also carried by walls 412 and 414 of hammerbracket 416 urge hammer rod 402 and hammer arm 408 in the clockwisedirection (FIG. 1) about hammer pivot shaft 410 into an unactuatedposition. A pivot pin 426 (FIGS. 1 and 3a) spanning a forked end 428 ofhammer arm 408 pivotally interconnects a solenoid plunger 430 (FIGS. 3aand 9) of a hammer solenoid 432 (FIG. 1) thereto. Hammer solenoid 432 issuitably mounted on hammer bracket 416 and interconnected by wires 192into the electrical circuit and with a microswitch 434 (FIGS. 2 and 3a)as will be hereinafter described. A switch operating lever 436 carriedby microswitch 434 to operate same has a portion thereof disposed in thepath of movement ofa timingpin 438 carried by a timing cam 440 securedto main drive shaft 90.

It will thus be seen that during rotation of main drive shaft 90 thattiming pin 438 (FIG. 2) of timing cam 440 will engage switch operatinglever 436 and operate microswitch 436 to energize hammer solenoid 432.Up-

ward movement of hammer solenoid plunger 430 (FIG.

9), upon energization of hammer solenoid 432, effects a counterclockwiserotation (FIG. 1) of hammer arm 408 and hammer rod 402 about hammerpivot shaft 410 moving hammer pad through label applying path T to itsactuated position (in dashed lines, FIG. 1) to engage a label 28 whendisposed therewithin and move same against an article 36.

As timing pin 438 moves away from switch operating lever 436, uponcontinued rotation of main drive shaft 90 and timing cam 440,microswitch 434 is operated to deenergize hammer solenoid 432. Upondeenergization of hammer solenoid 432 springs 420 are permitted to rockhammer arm 408, hammer rod 402, and hammer pad 404 in the clockwisedirection (FIG. 1) about hammer pivot shaft 410 to return same to theirun'actuated condition (FIG. 1).

A cycle initiating lever 442 (FIGS. 2,.3a, and 10) pivotally carried byhammer pivot shaft 410 is formed with an actuating arm 444 (FIGS. 1 and10) disposed for coaction with article 36 (FIG. 1) and a switchoperating arm 446 (FIGS. .1 and 10) disposed for coaction with a cycleinitiating microswitch 448 carried by wall 414 of hammer bracket 416. Aspring 450 (FIGS. 3a and 10) having one end thereof in engagement withframe 56 and the other end thereof engaged with a stop block 452 carriedby switch operating arm 446 of cycle initiating lever 442 biases cycleinitiating lever 442 in the counterclockwise direction (FIG. 10) abouthammer pivot shaft 410 and into engagement with stop'rod 424. Wires 192interconnect cycle initiating microswitch 448 and start solenoid 190into the electrical circuit as will be hereinafter described.

An on/off switch 460 (FIG. 2) provided with an indicator in the form ofa light 462, a mode selector switch 470 and a pair of indicators in theform of lights 472 and 474 for hand and foot operation respectively, anda transformer 480, of suitable electrical characteristics, are allinterconnected into the electrical circuit by conductive wires 192 aswill be hereinafter described.

The control circuit for labeling machine 20, shown in FIG. 11, comprisesa pair of input wires 192-1, 192-2 connectable by a conventional supplycord 492 to a suitable power supply such as l 10 volts 60 cycle.

Transformer 480 is connected directly across the power supply throughwire 192-1, on/off switch blade 460-S, wires 192-3, wires 192-4 and192-2 respectively.

Motor 40 is also connected directly across the power supply through wire192-1, on/off switch blade 460-S, wires 192-3, 192-5, 192-6, and 192-2,respectively.

On/off indicator 462 is connected across transformer 480 through wires192-7, 192-8, 192-9, and 192-10.

Hand/foot mode indicators 472, 474 respectively are connected acrosstransformer 480 through wires 192-7, 192-11, 192-12, and 1192-10; theparticular indicator to be operated depending upon whether mode selectorswitch blade 470-S-1 is in engagement with the contacts 470-C-1-F or470-C-1-H. During the hand switch mode of operation start solenoid 190is connectable across the power supply through wire 192-1, on/off switchblade 460-S, wires 192-5 and-19243, mode selector switch blade 470-S-2,contact 470-C-2-I-I, wire 192-14', hand switch blade 448-S, wires192-15, 192-16, 192-17, 192-6, and 192-2.-For the foot switch mode ofoperation, wherein mode selector switch blade 470-S-2 is in engagementwith contact 470-C-2-F, clutch solenoid 190 is con-.

nectable across the power supply through wire192-1, on/off switch blade460-S, wires 192-5 and 192-13, mode selector switch blade 470-S-2',contact 470-C-2- F, wire 192-8, foot switch blade F-S, wires 192-16,192-17, 192-6 and 192-1. 1 I

Hammer'solenoid 432 is connectable to the power supply through wire192-1, on/off switch blade 460-S, wires 192-3, 192-5, 192-19, 192-20,switch blade 434-8 of microswitch 434, wires 192-21, 192-17, 192-6 and192-2.

With the appropriate type for printing the desired information on labels28 disposed in printing mechanism 30, with the appropriate web guide 372(FIG. 1) disposed between guide plates 374 and 376, and with theappropriate feed drum 314 disposed on feed drum stub shaft 262 a roll oflabels 28 may be disposed upon spool shaft 362 (FIG. 3b.) between guideplates 366 and 368.

Web 26 is then positioned around take-up spring 370 (FIG. 3b), threadedinto web guide 372, through printing station 30 (FIG. 1) across bedplate 382 of stripper plate assembly 380 and.about sharp reverse bend 32thereof, and then around feed drum 314 being careful to position drivepins 330 thereof in sprocket holes 332 of web 26. After making sure thatpressure spring 384 has been properlyset to maintain web 26 and labeler28 against stripper bed plate 382, that web retainer 336 hasbeen set tourge web 26 against the surface of feed drum 314, and that stripperblade 344 isappropriately set in groove 346 (FIG. 8) of feed -drum 314,power cord 492 (FIG. 11) may be electrically connected to a suitablesource of power and on/off switch 460 may be operated to close contactblade 470-S thereof.

Electricalpowe'r thus flows through power cord 492 (FIG. 11), wire192-1, closed switch blade 460-S, wires 192-3 and 192-5, motor 40, wires192-6, and 192-2 to provide electrical power for motor 40 to initiaterotation thereof and to motor drive stub (FIGS. 2 and 4) connectedthereto. Rotation of motor drive stub 70 will not however be transmittedto main drive pulley 86 through intermediate drive pulley 76 because atthis time it is in its declutched condition (FIG. 2) with surface 128thereof spaced from motor drive stub 70.

Power also flows from transformer 480 through wires With hand/footselector switch 470 set to the hand mode of operation and with modeindicator 474 having power supplied thereto from transformer 480 throughwires 192-7, mode selector switch blade 470-S-1, contact C-I-I-I, wires192-11, and 192-10 to indicate that labeler 20 is set for handoperation, labeler 20 is prepared for use.

The movement of an article 36 (FIG. 1) to be labeled under and againstactuating arm 444 of cycle initiating lever 442 to move same from itsunactuated position (full lines, FIG. 1) to its actuated position (dotand dash, FIG. 1) results in a clockwise rotation (FIG. of cycleinitiating lever 442 about hammer pivot shaft 410, moving switchoperating arm 446 thereof against microswitch 448 to close switch blade448-S thereof (FIG. 1 1). Electrical power is then provided to startsolenoid 190 through wire 192-1, and/off switch blade 460-8 (now closed)wires 192-3, 192-5, and 192-13, switch blade 470-S-2 and contact470-C-2-I-I, wire 1 12-14, switch blade 448-S of closed switch 448,wires 192-15, 192-16, 192-17, 192-6 and 192-2.

Energization of start solenoid 190 (FIGS. 1 and. 11) draws plunger 188thereof to the right (FIG. 1) carrying with it start solenoid brackets182 and 184 and pin 180 to rotate start solenoid bell crank 168 in thecounterclockwise direction (FIG. 1) about pin 170 moving nose 166 ofstart solenoid bell crank 168 against press plate 160 to move same in adownward direction (FIGS. 1 and 4) against the action of spring 131.Downward movement of press plate 160 effects a corresponding downwardmovement of right end 162 of start lever 112 to rock start lever 112,start shaft 114, brake lever 132, and carrier 108 in a clockwisedirection (FIGS. 1 and 4) about the axis of rotation of start levershaft 114 thus moving intermediate drive pulley 76 from its declutchedposition (FIG. 2) to its clutched position (FIG. 4) with surface 128thereof engaged with .the surface of motor drive stub 70. Clockwiserotation ment with inner surface 150 of main drive pulley 86 itsreleased position (FIG. 4) spaced from inner surface 150 of main drivepulley 86 (FIG. 4) and also moves I cam follower roller 136 carried byarm 1'38 thereof out of notchv 198 of cam 142 thus releasing cam 140,main drive shaft 90, and main drive pulley 86 for rotation. Rotation ofmotor output shaft 72 is therefore transmitted through motor drive stub70 to intermediate drive pulley 76 and main drive pulley 86 and therebyto main drive shaft 90. l

Rotation of main drive shaft 90, through eccentric mechanism 210 (FIG.7), pin 212, and arm 214 (FIG.

7) operates printing mechanism 30 in a conventional and well-knownmanner to print the desired information upon label 28.

Rotation of main drive shaft 90 also rotates web drive cam 220 andthrough web drive cam follower 226, coacting therewith. oscillates webdrive lever 232 first in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 7 aboutvertical stub shaft 234 and then in a clockwise direction about verticalstub shaft 234. Counterclockwise rotation of web drive lever 232 effectsa movement offeed rod 250 in the direction of arrow R (FIGS. 7 and 8)and thereby of pin 258, feed arm 260, and feed pawl 280 in the clockwisedirection (FIG. 8) about feed stub shaft 262. On engagement of nose 282(FIGS. 1 and 8) of feed pawl 280 with shoulder 284 of web feed ratchet286,

ratchet 286 is'also rotated in the clockwise direction about feed stubshaft'262 and, through roll pin 312 of feed drum 314 seated in aperture310 of web feed ratchet 286- the rotation of ratchet 286 is imparted tofeed drum 314 to rotate feed drum 314 in the clockwise direction aboutfeed stub shaft 262 (FIGS. 1 and 8).

Clockwise rotation of feed drum 314 through its drive pins 330 andcooperating feed sprocket holes 332 of web 26 produces a movement of web26 in the direction of arrows X, Y and 2 (FIG. 1). As web 26 moves aboutsharp reverse bend 32 and into path Y the adhesion characteristics ofweb 26 and label 28 effect a stripping movement of label 28 from web 26so that label 28 continues to move in the direction of arrow X into thepath of movement T'of hammer mechanism 34.

During the counterclockwise rotation of main drive shaft (FIG.'2) timingpin 438 of timing cam 440 approaches and then engages blade 436 ofmicroswitch 434 and at approximately the time that label 28 is extendedinto the path of movement T of hammer mechanism-34 timing pin 438operates microswitch 434 to close switch blades 434 thereof and energizehammer solenoid 432 through wire 192-1, on/off switch blade 460-S, wires192-3, 192-5, 192-19 and 192-20, closed switch blades 434-S ofmicroswitch 434, wires 192-21, 192-l7,.192-6 and 192-2.

Energization of hammer solenoid 432 (FIG. 1) draws plunger 430 thereofupwardly rotating hammer arm 408, hammer rod 402, and hammer-pad 404 inthe counterclockwise direction (FIG. 1) about pivot shaft 410 andagainst the action of spring 420. As hammer pad 404 moves from itsunactuated position (full lines FIG. 1) to the actuated position(dot-dash lines FIG.. 1) resilient contact surface 406 thereof engageslabel 28 separating same from web 26 and moving same against article 36with sufficient pressure to affix label 28 thereto but not in such amanner as to damage article 36.

Continued rotation of main drive shaft 90 and timing cam 440 carriedthereby moves timing pin 438 away from blade 436 operating microswitch434 to open switch blades 434-S thereof (FIG. 1 1) and thereby thecircuit to hammer solenoid 432. Deenergization of hammer solenoid 432permits springs 420 to rock hamrod'424. As arm 446 moves away frommicroswitch 448 switch blade 448-S thereof opens the circuit'to startsolenoid 190 to deenergizing same.

The action of spring 126 (FIG. 4) and spring 131 upon start lever 112tends to rock start lever 112, brake lever 132, and start lever shaft114 in the counterclockwise direction of the-axis rotation of shaft 114;however, until main drive pulley 86 is returned to its home position,(as shown in FIG. 2) cam follower roller 136 riding on cam surface 140of cam 142 prevents such counterclockwise rotation thus maintaining thedrive engagement between motor stub shaft 70, intermediate drive pulley76, and main drive pulley 86. Movement of cam follower 136 into notch198 (FIG. 4) of cam 142 thus permits the counterclockwise rotation ofstart lever 112 and the resulting engagement of brake shoe 146 withinner surface 150 of main drive pulley 86 (FIG. 2) and movement ofsurface 128 of intermediate drive pulley 76 away from motor drive stub70 to terminate the cycle of operation of labeler of its home position.

Should it be desired to change labeler 20 from hand operation tooperation by foot switch hand/foot selector switch 470 is operated tomove movable contacts 470-S-l and 470-S-2 from their positions ofengagement with stationary contacts 470-C-1-H and 470-C-2- H intopositions of engagement with stationary contacts 470-C-1-F and 470-C-2-Fthus illuminating mode indicator 472 to indicate that the machine is setfor foot operation, through circuitry previously described, andpreparing the machine for operation by foot switchF-S.

To change labeler 20 to accept labels of different size the operatormerely needs to rotate retainer 336 (FIG. 1) in the counterclockwisedirection away from the surface of feed drum 314 and remove retainer 336from labeler 20. Web 26 may then be withdrawn from its position as shownin FIGS. 1 and 312 on bed plate 382 and within web guide 372, rewind web26 back upon the roll and take same off of spool shaft 362. Feed drum314 may then be removed by merely rotating stripper blade 344 in theclockwise direction (FIG. 1) about pin 348, removing knob 318 (FIG. 8)from end 320 of feed stub shaft 262, and the removing feed drum 314 fromfeed stub shaft 262. Another feed drum 314 of appropriate size withappropriately spaced drive pins 330, is then set upon feed stub shaft262 and its roll pin 312 seated in aperture 310 of web feed ratchet 286.Knob 318 is then tightened upon end 320 of feed stub shaft 262 andstripper blade 344 rotated in the counterclockwise direction about pin348 and reseated within groove 346 of feed drum 314.

The new roll of labels 28 is then mounted upon spool shaft 362 (FIG. 3a)between guides 366 and 368. Web 26 is reeled therefrom, threaded throughweb guide 372 across plate 382 (FIG. 1) about sharp reverse bend 32 andaround feed drum 314 so that drive pins 330 thereof are disposed insprocket holes 332 of web 26.

A proper web retainer 336 is then placed back into po- It should beunderstood that although web 26 has been shown with labeler 28 disposedone adjacent the other and with feed sprocket holes 332 disposedthereunder that the construction of labeler 20 and the operation thereofdoes not necessitate such a label and web construction but that in factlabels 28 may be disposed with their edges spaced one from the other andwith sprocket holes 332 disposed therebetween to the sides thereof or inany other position to facilitate feed of the web 26; it being rememberedthat when web 26 is disposed about feed drum 314 that labels 28 are nolonger positioned thereon.

From the above description it will thus be seen that a novel andimproved labeling mechanism has been provided for printing, dispensing,and applying pressure sensitive labels to articles; which labelers, byutilizing a mechanical drive and a pin and sprocket feed provides apositive step-by-step motion of the web and labels through the labelingmechanism thus greatly minimizing damage to the labels and the need fora space between each successive label upon the web. The labeler, inaddition, by utilizing a mechanical hammer operated through a mechanicaltiming means initiated at a fixed point in the cycle of operation of thelabeler by a cam arrangement provides a positive and efficient manner ofapplying labels to articles independent of vacuums and the complexcontrols normally associated therewith.

It is my understanding that although I have shown the preferred form ofmy invention that various modifications may be made in the detailsthereof without departing from its scope.

I claim: I

l. A labeler for selectively dispensing and applying in serial fashionto articles to be labelled, labels disposed one after the other along aweb and adhered thereto by means facilitating the readyv removal of thelabels from the web; comprising a. frame means;

b. guide means adapted to guide the web and labels along a predeterminedpath;

c. said predetermined path including means providing a sharp reversebend adapted to coact with the web and labels as the web passesthereabout to effeet a separation of the labels from the web;

d. web advancing means adapted to draw the web along said predeterminedpath and about said sharp reverse bend to effect separation of thelabels from the web; '1

e. label applying means operated in timed relationship with theoperation .of said web advancing means;

f. operating means coacting with said label applying means to move saidlabel applying means so that in a single continuous movement said labelapplying means positively engages a label, as the label is beingseparated from the web, to move the label against an article whendisposed adjacent thereto;

g. at least the final portion of said single continuous movement of saidlabel applying means being in a direction generally transverse to theadjacent labelreceiving surface of said article, said label applyingmeans completely applying said label to the article to be labelledduring said final portion of the movement of said label applying means;-

h. the relative inertias of the moving label applying means and thelabel serving to hold the label against the label applying means.

2. The labeler of claim 1; wherein the web includes a plurality ofspaced sprocket holes and said web advancing means includes a web feedmeans carrying a plurality of spaced drive pins adapted for coactionwith the sprocket holes of the web to positively move the web along saidpredetermined path.

3. The labeler of claim 2; wherein the web feed means is removablydisposed on said frame means to permit replacement thereof by other webfeed means having drive pins disposed in different positions thereon forcoaction with webs having corresponding sprocket holes.

4. A labeler of claim 3; wherein the web feed means is in the form of asubstantially cylindrical feed drum with the drive pins disposed inspaced relation about the periphery thereof.

5. The labeler of claim 4; wherein a. said web feed means includes aroll pin; and

b. said web advancing means further includes a ratchet wheel adapted toreceive said roll pin and disposed for coaction with a pawl adapted torotate said ratchet wheel through a predetermined degree of rotation.

6. The labeler of claim 1; wherein said web advancing means includes acam disposed for coaction with said operating means to initiateoperation thereof during a predetermined point in the cycle of operationof said web advancing means.

7. A labeler for selectively dispensing and applying in serial fashionlabels disposed one after the other along a web and adhered thereto bymeans facilitating the ready removal of the labels from the web;comprising a. frame means;

b. guide means adapted to guide the web and labels along a predeterminedpath;

c. said predetermined path including means providing a sharp reversebend adapted to coact with the web and labels as the web passesthereabout to effeet a separation of the labels from the web;

d. web advancing means adapted to draw the web along said predeterminedpath and about said sharp reverse bend to effect separation of thelabels from the web;

e. label applying means operated in timed relationship with theoperation of said web advancing means;

f. operating means coacting with said label applying means to move saidlabel applying means so that in a single continuous movement said labelapplying means positively engages a label, as the label is beingseparated from the web, to move the label against an article whendisposed in proximity thereto;

g. the relative inertias of the moving labelapplying means and labelmaintaining the label and label applying means in proximity to eachother and facilitating the proper affixing of the label to an article;

h. said web advancing means including a cam disposed for coaction withsaid operating means to initiate operation thereof during apredetermined point in the cycle of operation of said web advancingmeans;

. said label applying means including hammer means disposed for movementthrough a predetermined label applying path; j. said operating meansincluding:

1. electrical solenoid means coacting with said hammer means to movesame through said pre determined label applying path;

2. switch means electrically connected to said solenoid means through asuitable source of power to operate said solenoid means; and

3. return means for returning said hammer means to its initial positionon deenergization of said solenoid means;

4. said switch means being also disposed for coaction with said cammeans of said web advancing means to be operated thereby during apredetermined period in the cycle of operation of said web advancingmeans.

8. A labeler for successively removing single labels adhered by pressuresensitive adhesive to a web of release paper, the adhesive and releasepaper being formulated to permit ready removal of a label from saidrelease paper, the release paper further having formed therein aplurality of spaced pairs of sprocket feed holes: comprising a. framemeans;

b. guide means adapted to guide the'web along a predetermined pathhaving a first direction and a second direction;

c. said predetermined path having dispoed therein a sharp reverse bendwherein said predetermined path changes from said first direction tosaid second direction; v

d. cylindrical feed drum means having disposed about the'circumferencethereof a plurality of pairs of drive pins spaced from each other by adistance corresponding to the spacing of the sprocket holes in the web;

e. webretainer means adapted to urge the web into engagement with thesurface of the said feed drum means in such a manner as to permit saiddrive pins of the feed drum to successively enter the sprocket holes ofthe web;

f. web stripping means disposed for coaction with said feed drum and theweb to separate the web from said feed drum;

g. ratchet means rotatably disposed on said frame means for positivecoaction with said feed drum means; I

h. pawl means carried by said frame means for coaction with said ratchetmeans;

i. pawl operating means .movably carried by said frame means forcoaction with said pawl means to move said pawl means along apredetermined pawl feed path wherein said pawl cooperates with saidratchet to rotate said ratchet through a predetermined degree ofrotation, said pawl operating means'furthermore returning said pawl toits initial position;

j. said ratchet means during the rotation thereof through'saidpredetermined degree of rotation positively driving said feed drummeans;

k. said feed drum means when so driven moving the web through saidpredetermined path about said sharp reverse bend in such a manner thatlabels continue to move in said first direction when the web is beingdrawn in said second direction;

I. detent means disposed for coaction with said ratchet means to preventretrograde rotation thereof; I

m. label applying means including an element disposed-for coaction witha label as it is being separated -froin the web to engage the label andmove same against an article with disposed in proximity thereto; and

n. label applier actuating means operative in timed- 10. The labeler ofclaim 9; wherein said label applier actuating means; includes a.electrical solenoid means; b. said cam responsive means includeselectrical switch means having contacts which are closed and reopendedduring coaction thereof with said cam means during the rotation thereof,and

. electrical means interconnecting said solenoid means and said switchmeans to a suitable source of electrical power so that operation of saidswitch means will provide electrical power to said solenoid means tooperate same.

11. A labeler for selectively printing, dispensing and applying labelsadhered one after the other by a pressure sensitive adhesive to a web ofrelease paper formulated to permit separation of the labels therefromand with a plurality of feed sprocket holes, and normally disposed inroll form; comprising a. frame means; i

b. web support means disposed on said frame means and rotatably mountingthe rolled web of labels;

c. printing means carried by said frame means and operative to printselected information upon each label;

. web guide means adapted to guide the web and labels to and throughsaid printing means to facilitate printing of the information upon thelabels;

. label stripper means disposed on said frame means and adapted toreceive the web of labels after the labels have passed through saidprinting means;

. said stripper means including a sharp reverse bend about which the webis directed and which, due to the characteristics thereof and of thelabeler, adhesive and web, is adapted to effect a separation of thelabels from the web in such a manner that the labels are projected intoa label applying path;

g. hammer means carried by said frame means and including a resilientpad adapted for movement through said label applying path and to engagea label when disposed therewithin;

h. web feed means carried by said frame means and adapted to draw theweb to and through said printing mechanism and about said sharp reversebend;

. said web feed means including a feed drum having disposed about theperiphery thereof a pluraltiy of pairs of drive pins adapted forcoaction with the feed sprocket holes of the web to thereby positivelyfeed the web;

. said web feed means further including a feed ratchet having formedtherein an aperture adapted to receive a roll pin carried by said feeddrum to positively interconnect said feed ratchet and said feed drum,and a feed pawl disposed for coaction with said feed ratchet to rotatesame through a predetermined degree of rotation.

k. the diameter of said feed drum, the spacing of said m. a main drivemeans carried by said frame means for coaction with said web drive meansto operate same and also for coaction with said printing means tooperate same;

n. power supply means carried by said frame means for coaction with saidmain drive means to provide power therefor but normally disconnectedtherefrom;

0. connecting means carried by said frame means for coaction with saidpower supply means and said main drive means to selectively interconnectsame, said connecting means including stop means coacting with said maindrive means to arrest rotation thereof at a predetermined location;

p. hammer operating means carried by said frame q. cycle initiatingmeans carried by said frame means and adapted for coaction with anarticle when moved thereagainst to initiate a cycle of operation of thelabeler by actuating said connecting means to release said stop meansand interconnect said power supply means and said main drive means tothereby operate said printing means and said web feed means to feed theweb and a label carried thereby to said printing means and to project alabel into said label applying path, said main drive means furthercoacting with said hammer operating means to operate said hammer meansto engage the projected label and press same against the arti' cle whendisposed in said label applying path.

12. The labeler of claim 11: wherein the labels are disposed oneadjacent the other along the web.

13. The labeler of claim 11: wherein a. said hammer operating mechanismincludes an electrically operated solenoid and a switch to interconnectand disconnect said solenoid with a suitable source of electrical power;

b. said main drive means including switch operating means adapted toclose said switch at a predetermined time during its operation and tosubsequently open said switch.

14. The labeler of claim 11: wherein a. said feed drum is removablydisposed on said frame means to facilitate replacement thereof byanother feed drum having differently spaced drive pins adapted forcoaction with a web having corresponding sprocket holes spacings.

15. The labeler of claim 11: including a. a web retainer disposed onsaid frame means to urge the web against said feed drum; and

b. a web stripper disposed on said frame to facilitate separation of theweb from said feed drum.

16. The labeler of claim 15: wherein said web re- 0 tainer is removablydisposed on said frame means and has a configuration corresponding tothe configuration of said feed drum.

l l i i

1. A labeler for selectively dispensing and applying in serial fashionto articles to be labelled, labels disposed one after the other along aweb and adhered thereto by means facilitating the ready removal of thelabels from the web; comprising a. frame means; b. guide means adaptedto guide the web and labels along a predetermined path; c. saidpredetermined path including means providing a sharp reverse bendadapted to coact with the web and labels as the web passes thereabout toeffect a separation of the labels from the web; d. web advancing meansadapted to draw the web along said predetermined path and about saidsharp reverse bend to effect separation of the labels from the web; e.label applying means operated in timed relationship with the operationof said web advancing means; f. operating means coacting with said labelapplying means to move said label applying means so that in a singlecontinuous movement said label applying means positively engages alabel, as the label is being separated from the web, to move the labelagainst an article when disposed adjacent thereto; g. at least the finalportion of said single continuous movement of said label applying meansbeing in a direction generally transverse to the adjacentlabel-receiving surface of said article, said label applying meanscompletely applying said label to the article to be labelled during saidfinal portion of the movement of said label applying means; h. therelative inertias of the moving label applying means and the labelserving to hold the label against the label applying means.
 2. Thelabeler of claim 1; wherein the web includes a plurality of spacedsprocket holes and said web advancing means includes a web feed meanscarrying a plurality of spaced drive pins adapted for coaction with thesprocket holes of the web to positively move the web along saidpredetermined path.
 2. switch means electrically connected to saidsolenoid means through a suitable source of power to operate saidsolenoid means; and
 3. return means for returning said hammer means toits initial position on deenergization of said solenoid means;
 3. Thelabeler of claim 2; wherein the web feed means is removably disposed onsaid frame means to permit replacement thereof by other web feed meanshaving drive pins disposed in different positions thereon for coactionwith webs having corresponding sprocket holes.
 4. The labeler of claim3; wherein the web feed means is in the form of a substantiallycylindrical feed drum with the drive pins disposed in spaced relationabout the periphery thereof.
 4. said switch means being also disposedfor coaction with said cam means of said web advancing means to beoperated thereby during a predetermined perIod in the cycle of operationof said web advancing means.
 5. The labeler of claim 4; wherein a. saidweb feed means includes a roll pin; and b. said web advancing meansfurther includes a ratchet wheel adapted to receive said roll pin anddisposed for coaction with a pawl adapted to rotate said ratchet wheelthrough a predetermined degree of rotation.
 6. The labeler of claim 1;wherein said web advancing means includes a cam disposed for coactionwith said operating means to initiate operation thereof during apredetermined point in the cycle of operation of said web advancingmeans.
 7. A labeler for selectively dispensing and applying in serialfashion labels disposed one after the other along a web and adheredthereto by means facilitating the ready removal of the labels from theweb; comprising a. frame means; b. guide means adapted to guide the weband labels along a predetermined path; c. said predetermined pathincluding means providing a sharp reverse bend adapted to coact with theweb and labels as the web passes thereabout to effect a separation ofthe labels from the web; d. web advancing means adapted to draw the webalong said predetermined path and about said sharp reverse bend toeffect separation of the labels from the web; e. label applying meansoperated in timed relationship with the operation of said web advancingmeans; f. operating means coacting with said label applying means tomove said label applying means so that in a single continuous movementsaid label applying means positively engages a label, as the label isbeing separated from the web, to move the label against an article whendisposed in proximity thereto; g. the relative inertias of the movinglabel applying means and label maintaining the label and label applyingmeans in proximity to each other and facilitating the proper affixing ofthe label to an article; h. said web advancing means including a camdisposed for coaction with said operating means to initiate operationthereof during a predetermined point in the cycle of operation of saidweb advancing means; i. said label applying means including hammer meansdisposed for movement through a predetermined label applying path; j.said operating means including:
 8. A labeler for successively removingsingle labels adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to a web of releasepaper, the adhesive and release paper being formulated to permit readyremoval of a label from said release paper, the release paper furtherhaving formed therein a plurality of spaced pairs of sprocket feedholes: comprising a. frame means; b. guide means adapted to guide theweb along a predetermined path having a first direction and a seconddirection; c. said predetermined path having dispoed therein a sharpreverse bend wherein said predetermined path changes from said firstdirection to said second direction; d. cylindrical feed drum meanshaving disposed about the circumference thereof a plurality of pairs ofdrive pins spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to thespacing of the sprocket holes in the web; e. web retainer means adaptedto urge the web into engagement with the surface of the said feed drummeans in such a manner as to permit said drive pins of the feed drum tosuccessively enter the sprocket holes of the web; f. web stripping meansdisposed for coaction with said feed drum and the web to separate theweb from said feed drum; g. ratchet means rotatably disposed on saidframe means for positive coaction with said feed drum means; h. pawlmeans carried by said frame means for coaction with said ratchet means;i. pawl operating means movably carried by said frame means for coactionwith said pawl means to move said pawl means along a predetermined pawlfeed path wherein said pawl cooperates with said ratchet to rotate saidratchet through a predetermined degree of rotation, said pawl operatingmeans furthermore returning said pawl to its initial position; j. saidratchet means during the rotation thereof through said predetermineddegree of rotation positively driving said feed drum means; k. said feeddrum means when so driven moving the web through said predetermined pathabout said sharp reverse bend in such a manner that labels continue tomove in said first direction when the web is being drawn in said seconddirection; l. detent means disposed for coaction with said ratchet meansto prevent retrograde rotation thereof; m. label applying meansincluding an element disposed for coaction with a label as it is beingseparated from the web to engage the label and move same against anarticle with disposed in proximity thereto; and n. label applieractuating means operative in timed relationship with said web feed meansto operate said label applying means.
 9. The label of claim 8; whereina. said web advancing means includes cam means; and b. said labelapplier actuating means includes cam responsive means operated by saidcam means to initiate and terminate operation of said label applieractuating means and thereby said label applying means.
 10. The labelerof claim 9; wherein said label applier actuating means; includes a.electrical solenoid means; b. said cam responsive means includeselectrical switch means having contacts which are closed and reopendedduring coaction thereof with said cam means during the rotation thereof,and c. electrical means interconnecting said solenoid means and saidswitch means to a suitable source of electrical power so that operationof said switch means will provide electrical power to said solenoidmeans to operate same.
 11. A labeler for selectively printing,dispensing and applying labels adhered one after the other by a pressuresensitive adhesive to a web of release paper formulated to permitseparation of the labels therefrom and with a plurality of feed sprocketholes, and normally disposed in roll form; comprising a. frame means; b.web support means disposed on said frame means and rotatably mountingthe rolled web of labels; c. printing means carried by said frame meansand operative to print selected iNformation upon each label; d. webguide means adapted to guide the web and labels to and through saidprinting means to facilitate printing of the information upon thelabels; e. label stripper means disposed on said frame means and adaptedto receive the web of labels after the labels have passed through saidprinting means; f. said stripper means including a sharp reverse bendabout which the web is directed and which, due to the characteristicsthereof and of the labeler, adhesive and web, is adapted to effect aseparation of the labels from the web in such a manner that the labelsare projected into a label applying path; g. hammer means carried bysaid frame means and including a resilient pad adapted for movementthrough said label applying path and to engage a label when disposedtherewithin; h. web feed means carried by said frame means and adaptedto draw the web to and through said printing mechanism and about saidsharp reverse bend; i. said web feed means including a feed drum havingdisposed about the periphery thereof a pluraltiy of pairs of drive pinsadapted for coaction with the feed sprocket holes of the web to therebypositively feed the web; j. said web feed means further including a feedratchet having formed therein an aperture adapted to receive a roll pincarried by said feed drum to positively interconnect said feed ratchetand said feed drum, and a feed pawl disposed for coaction with said feedratchet to rotate same through a predetermined degree of rotation. k.the diameter of said feed drum, the spacing of said drive pinsthereabout and the spacing of the sprocket holes in the web being suchthat upon rotation of said feed drum through said predetermined degreeof rotation a single label is projected into said label applying path;l. a web drive means carried by said frame means for coaction with saidweb feed means to operate same; m. a main drive means carried by saidframe means for coaction with said web drive means to operate same andalso for coaction with said printing means to operate same; n. powersupply means carried by said frame means for coaction with said maindrive means to provide power therefor but normally disconnectedtherefrom; o. connecting means carried by said frame means for coactionwith said power supply means and said main drive means to selectivelyinterconnect same, said connecting means including stop means coactingwith said main drive means to arrest rotation thereof at a predeterminedlocation; p. hammer operating means carried by said frame means forcoaction with said hammer means and said main drive means and adapted tooperate said hammer means at a predetermined time during the operationof said main drive means so that said resilient pad of said hammer meansengages a label upon movement thereof into said label applying path; andq. cycle initiating means carried by said frame means and adapted forcoaction with an article when moved thereagainst to initiate a cycle ofoperation of the labeler by actuating said connecting means to releasesaid stop means and interconnect said power supply means and said maindrive means to thereby operate said printing means and said web feedmeans to feed the web and a label carried thereby to said printing meansand to project a label into said label applying path, said main drivemeans further coacting with said hammer operating means to operate saidhammer means to engage the projected label and press same against thearticle when disposed in said label applying path.
 12. The labeler ofclaim 11: wherein the labels are disposed one adjacent the other alongthe web.
 13. The labeler of claim 11: wherein a. said hammer operatingmechanism includes an electrically operated solenoid and a switch tointerconnect and disconnect said solenoid with a suitable source ofelectrical power; b. said main drive means including switch operatingmeans adapted to close said switch at a predetermined time duriNg itsoperation and to subsequently open said switch.
 14. The labeler of claim11: wherein a. said feed drum is removably disposed on said frame meansto facilitate replacement thereof by another feed drum havingdifferently spaced drive pins adapted for coaction with a web havingcorresponding sprocket holes spacings.
 15. The labeler of claim 11:including a. a web retainer disposed on said frame means to urge the webagainst said feed drum; and b. a web stripper disposed on said frame tofacilitate separation of the web from said feed drum.
 16. The labeler ofclaim 15: wherein said web retainer is removably disposed on said framemeans and has a configuration corresponding to the configuration of saidfeed drum.